Section 3.

Pre-Activity Composite Figures

Preparation

Leisure activities often include the use of different combinations of basic shapes. Below are some examples
of how we might use basic shapes in complex patterns that are useful or pleasing to the eye or in challenging
intellectual activities.
Tangrams—a set of tiles consisting of seven geometric shapes: five
triangles, a square and a parallelogram. The player is to arrange the
tiles into specified figures or shapes. Many mathematical principles
have been applied to the use of the tiles and it has been determined that
there are only 13 closed pattern shapes. On the other hand, whimsical
open shapes and patterns are essentially endless.

Quilting—Traditional quilt patterns use combinations of squares

and triangles to build bigger squares and shapes. The quilt at right is
made from colorful squares and triangles and has a unique geometric
design.

Origami—The Japanese art form of paper folding is closely tied with geometry. Any basic
fold has an associated geometric pattern. For instance, when you fold the traditional water
bomb base, you have created a crease pattern with eight congruent right triangles.

Learning Objectives

• Find the area and perimeter of irregularly shaped geometric figures

• Learn how to recognize basic shapes within more complex figures
• Add or subtract basic shapes to find the area and perimeter of more complex figures
• Use algebraic concepts to scale geometric figures

Terminology

Previously Used New Terms to Learn

area augment
perimeter composite figure
radius polygon
simplify regular polygon
scale
241
242 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Building Mathematical Language

Breaking down a Drawing
Learning how to break a complex task down into break down or aug
simpler components is a skill that can transfer to any
complicated problem. In geometry it is often necessary
to break apart a drawing into basic shapes so that the
area or perimeter can be calculated. At right is
a geometric object that can be divided into two small rectangles. You can think of the figure as being
composed of two rectangular shapes; therefore it is a composite figure.

Augmenting a Drawing augment

The same figure can also be augmented into one
large rectangle.

Calculations with Composite Figures

To calculate the area, we can either add the two smaller areas created by breaking down the drawing or
subtract the hash marked area from the larger augmented rectangle area.

Polygons
A closed geometric figure is called a polygon and is classified by the number of sides it has.

Figure Number of Sides Example

Triangle 3 school pennant
Quadrilateral 4 football field
Pentagon 5 Pentagon Building
Hexagon 6 one cell in a honeycomb
Heptagon (Septagon) 7 50 pence coin (England)
Octagon 8 stop sign
Polygon many sided

The list can continue with Greek or Latin prefixes indicating the number of sides and the suffix -gon. A
figure with many sides is simply called a polygon. If the sides are of equal length, then it is referred to
as a regular polygon.
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 243

Area of a Regular Polygon

We use r because
The area of a regular polygon can be found using of the relationship
the perimeter (P) and the distance from the center
to the midpoint of a side (r).
between the polygon r
and its inscribed
circle—a circle
A = ½rP inside the figure that
touches each side at
For example, the area of a regular hexagon with its midpoint.
sides of 12 in and a length of 8 in from the center
to the side is:
rin P = 6 × 12 in
8 P = 72 in
1
A = (8 in )( 72 in )
2
A = ( 4 in) ( 72 in )
12 in A = 288 in 2

Models

Model 1

Find the perimeter in feet.

12 ft 14 ft

3 yd 3 yd
4 yd

3 yd 1 yd
Change yards to feet: = , x = 9 ft
x ft 3 ft
4 yd 1 yd
= , x = 12 ft
x ft 3 ft

P = 12 ft + 14 ft + 9 ft + 12 ft + 9 ft
Answer: P = 56 ft The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
(Each side is 921 feet long; what is the perimeter?)
244 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Model 2

Find the approximate area of the following table top. diameter

:
:
= 6 in
Reasoning
The figure is a rectangle with four width
decorative cutouts that are each = 2.5 ft
1/4 of a circle. Find the area of the
rectangular table and then subtract the
cutout sections (4 × 1/4 of a circle or
one whole circle). : length = 3.7 ft

--- ===
Augmented table: Four quarter-circle cutouts Approximate area of the table:
A = (3.7 ft)(2.5 ft) = 9.25 ft2 (one whole circle): 9.25 ft2 – 0.2 ft2 = 9.05 ft2
d 6 in
r= = = 3 in
2 2
(Convert to feet: r = 3 in = 0.25 ft)
A = πr2
A ≈ 3.14(0.25 ft)2
A ≈ 0.2 ft2

A good way to validate calculations with composite figures is to use an alternative method, when possible.
Model 3 presents one such alternative way of solving this same problem.

Model 3

Find the approximate area of the following table top.

:

Reasoning
The figure is a rectangle with two decorative 2.5 ft
ends. Each decorative end is a rectangle with
two 1/4 circle cutouts. Find the area of the table

:::
(the rectangle without the decorative ends).
Then find the area of two decorative ends
.25 ft .25 ft
(each a rectangle minus a half-circle). Finally, 3.2 ft
add the area of the center portion of the table
to the area of the two decorative ends.
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 245

+-+ = ==
Center table section: Two decorative ends: Approximate area of the table:

( 2(= -( ) = ( -=) - )
A = 2.5 ft × 3.2 ft = 8 ft 2 ) = - ( 8 ft 2 + 1.05 ft 2 = 9.05 ft 2

A . 2(2.5 ft × 0.25 ft -1/2(0.2 ft 2 ))

A . 2(0.625 ft 2 - 0.1 ft 2 )
A . 2(0.525 ft 2 ) area of the circle, as
A . 1.05 ft 2 determined in Model 2

Model 4: Scaling

How is the area of a triangle represented in algebraic terms, if the original height
is doubled and the base is three times the original base?
Note: This is referred to as “scaling up.” (If we were to halve the height
and reduce the base to one third the original dimension, it would be
“scaling down.”)

Reasoning
The basic formula for area of a The new area: A = ½(3b )(2h )
triangle is: A = ½ bh. The area of the
A = ½ × 3 × 2 × bh
new (larger) triangle may be found
by letting the base be 3b (three times A = 3bh
the original base) and the height 2h
(height is doubled).

Floorplans provide a common example of

composite figures. When you know the critical
measurements of a room, space, or even an
entire house, determining the total area is
simply a matter of calculating individual areas
and adding them together.
246 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Addressing Common Errors

Incorrect Correct
Issue Resolution
Process Process

Not Find the area: Always include Find the area:

converting :6” the units with the 6” = 0.5’
:
to common half-circle
calculations. When half-circle
units you try to add or
:

:
multiply inches and
1.5’ triangle feet, for example, 1.5’ triangle

you will be
reminded to change
A = ½(6 × 1.5) + ½ (r 32 ) from one to the A = ½(0.5' × 1.5' ) + ½ (r (0.25' ) 2 )
A = ½ × 9 + 4.5r other in order for
A = ½ × 0.75 ft 2 + ½ × 0.0625r ft 2
the answer to be in
A = 4.5 + 4.5r the proper linear or ≈ 0.375 ft 2 + 0.098 ft 2
A = 18.63 square units. ≈ 0.473 ft 2
Validation
• area units are square feet 
• convert 1.5 feet to 18 inches and solve the problem in inches:
A = ½(6'' × 18'' ) + ½ (r (3'' ) 2 ) 12 in × 12 in = 1 ft2 = 144 in2
A = ½ × 108 in 2 + ½ × 9r in 2 Divide the answer in square 68.13
. 0.473 ft 2 
≈ 54 in 2 + 13.18 in 2 inches by 144 and compare to 144
the answer in square feet:
≈ 68.13 in 2

Incorrect Correct
Issue Resolution
Process Process

Using the Find the perimeter: Carefully Find the perimeter:

wrong :6” choose the : 6”
formula correct formula,
connecting the
:
:

idea of area with

1.5’ square units 1.5’
and the words
perimeter and
= 18”
circumference with
6'' = 0.5' length. Reason: sum of 3 sides
1 + 1/2 circumference:
P = 2( w × l ) + rr 2
2 P = 6" + 2 × 18" + ½r (6" )
P = 2(0.5' × 1.5' ) + ½ (r (0.25 ft)2 )
= 6" + 36" + 3r"
= 1.5 + 0.03125r
≈ 1.6 ft ≈ 51.42 in
Validation
• perimeter units are linear  6" = 0.5'
P = 0.5' + 2 × 1.5' + ½r (0.5' )
• 6" = 0.5' . 0.5' + 3' + 0.785' . 4.285 ft
P = 0.5' + 2 × 1.5' + ½r (0.5' ) in
. 0.5' + 3' + 0.785' . 4.285 ft 4.285 × 12 . 51.42 in 
in ft
4.285 × 12 . 51.42 in 
ft
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 247

Incorrect Correct
Issue Resolution
Process Process

Improper Find the area of the figure below. With more complex While the dimensions of the
reasoning composite figures, small rectangle are given, it is

:
it is sometimes
clearly part of the larger square.
easy to lose track
3 cm of what you are We are ultimately trying to
trying to solve. solve for the 3 × 3 square minus
0.5 cm
:
Consider shading the area of the triangle. The
3 cm in areas you have 0.5 cm measurement (and the
already worked or
Area of square: dotted line) are there to help
creating a list of
3 = 9 cm
2 2
the ‘pieces’ you us figure out the height of the
are working with. triangle.
Area of rectangle:
(3)(0.5) = 1.5 cm2
Be sure to check
the shaded areas
–

Area of triangle: or pieces against Area of square:
½(3)(3 – 0.5) = 3.75 cm 2 the measurements 32 = 9 cm2
so you do not
Answer: accidentally use Area of triangle:
9 + 1.5 – 3.75 = 6.75 cm 2 the same area ½ (3)(3 – 0.5) = 3.75 cm2
twice!
9 – 3.75 = 5.25 cm2
Validation

• area units are square centimeters 

+ +
• we can break down the figure in an alternate way and solve:
Area of triangles: Area of rectangle:
2[½ (1.5)(2.5)] = 3.75 cm2 (0.5)(3) = 1.5 cm2 3.75 + 1.5 = 5.25 cm2 

Incorrect Correct
Issue Resolution
Process Process

Making Find the area: It is sometimes The figure is a flat surface;

assumptions very tempting there are no indications that
:

6m to assume it is a cylinder. The only

information that is assumption that can be made
:
12m
not included in the
problem.
through examining the figure
is that both ends are circular,
Read problem with one end canceling out the
statements and other end.
A = ½ cylinder view any diagrams
A = ½(2B + Ch) closely and + –
= ½(2πr 2 + πdh) carefully, making
a note of exactly
= ½(2π(3 m)2 + π6 m × 12 m) what information A = ½rr 2 + (l × w) - ½rr 2
= ½(18π + 72π)m 2 you have (and A=l × w
have not) been
= 45π m 2 A = (12m)(6m) = 72 m 2
given.

Validation

• area units are square meters 

248 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Incorrect Correct
Issue Resolution
Process Process

Not What is the area of the following You may have In this case, we have a half-
visualizing figure? to try several circle, a rectangle and a
a workable different strategies
5m triangle. Because we have
basic shape to augment or
break down a measurement for the base and
3m
figure into parts sides of the triangle we can
3m you can work with. apply the Pythagorean Theorem
5m to find the height of the triangle.
8m
That allows us to determine the
Dividing the figure with a area of the triangle. That, added
horizontal line still doesn’t to the area of the half-circle
give the total length. Not and the area of the rectangle
enough information to solve. will give us the area of the full
figure.
5m
3m h
3m
+ +

6m
8m

Area of half-circle:
1
A= r (3) 2 = 4.5r
2
A ≈ 14.13 m 2
Area of rectangle:
A = lw = (6)(8) = 48 m2
Height of triangle:
h2 = 52 – 32 = 16, h = 4m
Area of triangle:
1
A= 6( 4) = 12 m 2
2
Total area ≈ 14.13 + 48 + 12
≈ 74.13 m2
(Area is in square units )

Incorrectly What is the perimeter of a new Show the steps New length = 2l
substituting rectangle if the length is doubled when substituting
New width = 5w
values into new dimensions
and the width is five times the
an algebraic into a formula. Perimeter of a rectangle:
statement old width?
P = 2l +2w
P = 2l + 2w P = 2( ) + 2( )
Answer: P = 2l + 5w Substitute the new dimensions:
P = 2(2l) + 2(5w)
P = 4l + 10w, perimeter of
enlarged rectangle
 Section 3.6

Activity Composite Figures

Performance Criteria
• Calculating the perimeter or area of a given composite or regular geometric figure
– use of the correct formula
– demonstration of augmentation or breaking down a figure into components
– accuracy of calculation with correct units
– validation of the answer
• Using algebra to scale the area or perimeter of geometric figures
– appropriate and correct identification of the variables
– use of the correct formula
– answer presented in its simplest form

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What are three possible units used for measuring perimeter and for measuring area?

2. What are the basic shapes to look for when either breaking down a figure or augmenting it?

3. How many triangles can be formed from the center of a hexagon using each side as a base? What is the
area of each triangle? What is the sum of the areas of the triangles?

249
250 Chapter 3 — Geometry

4. When would it be reasonable to use variables for the area or perimeter of a figure?

5. What determines which basic shape to use when finding the area of an irregularly shaped geometric
figure?

6. How do you know if you have used the best basic shapes to calculate area or perimeter?
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 251

Tips for Success

• Make drawings as accurate and detailed as possible. Do not make assumptions—if a measurement is not
given, carefully determine how it can be derived from the information provided.
• The methodology for using geometric formulas from section 3.5 still applies. Identify basic shapes as part
of step 1 in the methodology.

Demonstrate Your Understanding

1. Solve the following perimeter problems.

Perimeter Problems Worked Solution Validation

a) How much edging is

needed for an L-shaped
flower bed with the
following measurements:

3’
6’
15’

3’

b) An electric fence is to be
installed on a farmer’s
plot of land. How much
fencing is required if the
dimensions are as pictured?
26 m

15 m 21 m

22 m
252 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Perimeter Problems Worked Solution Validation

c) How much edge trim is

needed for a countertop
with the following
measurements?
2 ft
2 ft
4 ft

:
6 ft
d) How much ribbon is
required to trim a circular
skirt along the waist
and along the hem if the
diameter of the skirt is 2 m
and the waist hole has a
circumference of 62.8 cm?

e) How much molding is

needed to trim around a
hexagonal bathroom floor if
each side is 6 ft long?

2. Solve the following problems.

Problems Worked Solution Validation

a) What is the area of red

paint in a basketball key
(the shaded area)?
6’
:

12’
15’
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 253

Problems Worked Solution Validation

b) If a skating rink has ice 3

inches thick, what volume
of ice is there, if the rink
dimensions are as follows:

23’ 23’
46’

:
108’

c) How many square feet of

tiles are needed to cover
this bathroom floor?

6’ 8’

12’

d) How much material is

required to make a circular
skirt if the waist hole has a
circumference of 62.8 cm
and the diameter of the skirt
is 2 m?

e) How many square feet of

tiles are needed to floor a
hexagonal bathroom if each
side is 6 feet long and the
radius of the inscribed circle
is 5.2 feet?
254 Chapter 3 — Geometry

3. Solve the following problems in algebraic terms. Simplify your answers.

Algebra Problems Worked Solution

a) Find the area:

3x

x+7

b) A circle has diameter of

x + 2. Write an equation to
find the circumference.

c) A right triangle’s height is

twice the base. Write an
equation for the area.
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 255

Algebra Problems Worked Solution

d) Six scouts arrange their

campsite so that each tent
is equidistant from the next
tent and from the fire. How
much bigger would the area
of the campsite be if they
reposition the tents so that
they are twice as far from
the fire?

Use the graphic below as

needed.

e) How much bigger would

the area of the campsite
be if, instead of twice the
distance, they reposition
their tents so that each one
is three times the original
distance from the fire and
the adjacent tents?

Use the graphic below as

needed.

Hint: The height (r) of the triangle formed by two adjacent tents and the fire doubles when the
distance from a tent to the fire doubles.

s s s
r
256 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Identify and Correct the Errors

In the second column, identify the error(s) in the worked solution or validate its answer.
If the worked solution is incorrect, solve the problem correctly in the third column and validate your answer.

Identify Errors
Worked Solution Correct Process
or Validate

1) Write an equation for the

area:

h=x+2
b = 3x
A = bh
= (3x)(x+2)

Identify Errors
Worked Solution Correct Process
or Validate

2) Find the area:

: 12.3’
:

5.4’
30”
square
notch

AL = 12.3' × 5.4'
= 66.42 ft 2
A = 66.42 - 4 × 30"
A = 66.42 - 120
= - 53.58
Validation
Section 3.6 — Composite Figures 257

Identify Errors
Worked Solution Correct Process
or Validate

3) Find the area of the

pentagon below:

10” 10”

16” 16”

16”
A = (16) 2 + ½(16 × 10)
= 256 + 80
= 336 in 2

4) Find the area:

:
8m
:

6m
4m

Not enough information

to work the problem.
258 Chapter 3 — Geometry

Identify Errors
Worked Solution Correct Process
or Validate

5) What is the area of a

countertop with the
following measurements?
2 ft
2 ft
4 ft

:
6 ft
Augmentation:
2 ft
2 ft
4 ft 4 ft

:
6 ft
a = lw, r = ½d, a = πr2
and A = lw + ½πr 2
Square feet
Units agree
A = 6 ft (4 ft) + ½π(2 ft)2
A = 24 ft2 + 6.28 ft2
= 30.28 ft2
Validate
• square feet 
• 30.28 – 6.28 = 24 